TorqueSchool updates
by Ed Johnson · 01/25/2008 (4:37 pm) · 6 comments
Dear GarageGames and TorqueSchool communities
In early December Dave Young passed the TorqueSchool torch to me and since then I've been working on developing his ideas further. this transition has lasted much longer than anticipated, but that is life, and you don't get something for nothing :-) I will be working with GarageGames and the community to help bridge the gap between the engine developers and game developers. We're making TorqueSchool.com the most convenient way to learn Torque Technology. GarageGames knows that detailed, easy to follow documentation has historically been their weakest link, so they are working with us to make sure the materials we create properly reflect their technology.
ONE week left for the holiday special!
If you didn't see the blog post regarding the Holiday Special at the beginning of the month, where were you?!? You only have a week left to take advantage of this insane deal!
Note: We are in the process of revamping the site. if you are unable to complete a purchase for any reason due to website issues, email me and I will assist.
Regular Enrollment will begin again February 1st, 2008.
Ashtara's Player Modeling course starts February 3rd, 2008.
My 2 Courses (MS3D and Weapons) will be starting February 18th, 2008.
Character Creation for AFXA (First part of the RPG Course Series) starts February 21st
Those who had previous classes (Intro to MS3D) will be able to attend and get updates at no charge, as promised.
Those who purchased the $50 Holiday Special will be able to redeem them at any time (this year) for any course available.
New developments
While course development continues on the courses currently on the table, we are always looking for talented people in the community with the skills and motivation to teach others. We are still on the lookout for TGB instructors, who are in high demand.
Dave Young's RPG Course series - based on the highly popular DreamGames MMO-kit (Gryphon/Titas) . Not just a codebase with limited instructions, now a step-by-step, from-the-ground-up guide to creating your own RPG based on Torque Technology.
The Official AFX 101 Course is in development, authorized by Faust Logic. More info when available.
TorqueSchool will be releasing free "mini-courses" in the upcoming weeks, which will be richly detailed how-to's in the style and format of our full course documents, but with a smaller scope. These are meant to both give prospective students a "taste" of what we offer, as well as providing genuine learning resources (Not gimmicks) for the community. Examples of topics include: "Replacing the default Player shape", "Creating destroyable items", "Shapes with ambient animations", etc.
As much as I'm sure you all love to hear about these things, I KNOW you would much rather see then. We will be releasing previews as they are available, so be watching this area on the What's New page.
Community website
As I briefly stated above, we are currently in the process of revamping the TorqueSchool website. One of the biggest areas of complaint was the simplistic and rather bare website. We are working on streamlining the registration process, as well as some minor layout changes, to make it a bit more aesthetically pleasing, as well as adding more information.
Some of the functionality we hope to add over the two weeks include: Live Chatting right on TorqueSchool.com (no IRC client necessary), Journals for students and instructors to write about their progress, Places to showcase your project or stuff you have created, Contests with prizes, plus more! We highly encourage cooperation and collaboration among the communities, as that is where progress comes from.
Help Wanted!
We are also looking for people to help with tutoring and advising positions. Even if you don't think you have the time/skills to be a course developer, you can still help others by providing guidance and assistance when needed. Tutors are responsible for providing guidance (in the form of communication and research) on a given topic they have experience with. Allows instructors to focus on questions specific to their course, and those with specialized knowledge in an area (such as AI) can address those specific questions. An adviser is responsible for talking with prospective students, figuring out their game development needs, and hooking them up with the instruction they need. If you have experience with the following and would like to help out, send me an email with your contact info and what topics you are familiar with. Ex: AFX, AI, Audio, 2d Art, 3d Art, Game Programming, Game Design, GUI, Programming, TGB, TGE, TGEA, TorqueScript, TorqueX...
There is much room to grow and improve. there are many smart and talented people working on this, and you can be a part of it!
Payment System other than PayPal
Additional payment options (other than paypal) should be available when we upgrade our learner software this week, so those who have been held back because of that should have more options soon.
Thanks for reading! More information available upon request. Feedback highly appreciated!
In early December Dave Young passed the TorqueSchool torch to me and since then I've been working on developing his ideas further. this transition has lasted much longer than anticipated, but that is life, and you don't get something for nothing :-) I will be working with GarageGames and the community to help bridge the gap between the engine developers and game developers. We're making TorqueSchool.com the most convenient way to learn Torque Technology. GarageGames knows that detailed, easy to follow documentation has historically been their weakest link, so they are working with us to make sure the materials we create properly reflect their technology.
ONE week left for the holiday special!
If you didn't see the blog post regarding the Holiday Special at the beginning of the month, where were you?!? You only have a week left to take advantage of this insane deal!
Note: We are in the process of revamping the site. if you are unable to complete a purchase for any reason due to website issues, email me and I will assist.
Regular Enrollment will begin again February 1st, 2008.
Ashtara's Player Modeling course starts February 3rd, 2008.
My 2 Courses (MS3D and Weapons) will be starting February 18th, 2008.
Character Creation for AFXA (First part of the RPG Course Series) starts February 21st
Those who had previous classes (Intro to MS3D) will be able to attend and get updates at no charge, as promised.
Those who purchased the $50 Holiday Special will be able to redeem them at any time (this year) for any course available.
New developments
While course development continues on the courses currently on the table, we are always looking for talented people in the community with the skills and motivation to teach others. We are still on the lookout for TGB instructors, who are in high demand.
Dave Young's RPG Course series - based on the highly popular DreamGames MMO-kit (Gryphon/Titas) . Not just a codebase with limited instructions, now a step-by-step, from-the-ground-up guide to creating your own RPG based on Torque Technology.
The Official AFX 101 Course is in development, authorized by Faust Logic. More info when available.
TorqueSchool will be releasing free "mini-courses" in the upcoming weeks, which will be richly detailed how-to's in the style and format of our full course documents, but with a smaller scope. These are meant to both give prospective students a "taste" of what we offer, as well as providing genuine learning resources (Not gimmicks) for the community. Examples of topics include: "Replacing the default Player shape", "Creating destroyable items", "Shapes with ambient animations", etc.
As much as I'm sure you all love to hear about these things, I KNOW you would much rather see then. We will be releasing previews as they are available, so be watching this area on the What's New page.
Community website
As I briefly stated above, we are currently in the process of revamping the TorqueSchool website. One of the biggest areas of complaint was the simplistic and rather bare website. We are working on streamlining the registration process, as well as some minor layout changes, to make it a bit more aesthetically pleasing, as well as adding more information.
Some of the functionality we hope to add over the two weeks include: Live Chatting right on TorqueSchool.com (no IRC client necessary), Journals for students and instructors to write about their progress, Places to showcase your project or stuff you have created, Contests with prizes, plus more! We highly encourage cooperation and collaboration among the communities, as that is where progress comes from.
Help Wanted!
We are also looking for people to help with tutoring and advising positions. Even if you don't think you have the time/skills to be a course developer, you can still help others by providing guidance and assistance when needed. Tutors are responsible for providing guidance (in the form of communication and research) on a given topic they have experience with. Allows instructors to focus on questions specific to their course, and those with specialized knowledge in an area (such as AI) can address those specific questions. An adviser is responsible for talking with prospective students, figuring out their game development needs, and hooking them up with the instruction they need. If you have experience with the following and would like to help out, send me an email with your contact info and what topics you are familiar with. Ex: AFX, AI, Audio, 2d Art, 3d Art, Game Programming, Game Design, GUI, Programming, TGB, TGE, TGEA, TorqueScript, TorqueX...
There is much room to grow and improve. there are many smart and talented people working on this, and you can be a part of it!
Payment System other than PayPal
Additional payment options (other than paypal) should be available when we upgrade our learner software this week, so those who have been held back because of that should have more options soon.
Thanks for reading! More information available upon request. Feedback highly appreciated!
#2
01/26/2008 (4:49 pm)
Awesome! :) If TorqueSchool is still rocking in a year or so I might be interested in teaching TGB :) I want to finish my study first though. :)
#3
01/26/2008 (10:47 pm)
I'm interested as well.. I just wish this "spirit" was being given away for free instead... the old axiom - I think like Oliver above states - why not teach for a profit.. instead of share my knowledge for free?
#4
Anyway, I don't see anything that shows the quality of the courses. This might be because they are still in the making but to attract people and showing them your your credebility maybe some free give aways might be useful. Right now I look at the page and think to myself "Why should I join?". :-)
01/27/2008 (8:55 am)
If the courses are awesome I think paying for them might be worth it. And since this is a school I guess you get personal mentoring aswell. If this is the case then 50 bucks for a course is nothing.Anyway, I don't see anything that shows the quality of the courses. This might be because they are still in the making but to attract people and showing them your your credebility maybe some free give aways might be useful. Right now I look at the page and think to myself "Why should I join?". :-)
#5
I love the idea for the site but I still have some problems with it since it always goes to the main ordering page for me of the modeling and I don't want that course. I would like to get the course Weapons and the TGEA intro at $50 a piece but not sure yet. Is it possible to buy both courses for $100 and then only use the 2nd later this year? You never say on the site if there is a limit to how many courses you can buy for the $50.
Also, I may be interested in becoming a teacher on Audio creation as I have made several packs, including the one here on GG : http://www.garagegames.com/products/89/ plus I have content experience with buildings, structures and texture making for them. What is the pay for the teachers? Could you trade teaching for a course your not skilled in such as what I want above? Whats the deal on that? :0P
Let me know how I can order and if I can get both courses setup and I will join up. Shoot me info here or at my email on the teaching thing. Best of luck with the class...
Will
dlstorminc@yahoo.com
01/27/2008 (5:33 pm)
Ed:I love the idea for the site but I still have some problems with it since it always goes to the main ordering page for me of the modeling and I don't want that course. I would like to get the course Weapons and the TGEA intro at $50 a piece but not sure yet. Is it possible to buy both courses for $100 and then only use the 2nd later this year? You never say on the site if there is a limit to how many courses you can buy for the $50.
Also, I may be interested in becoming a teacher on Audio creation as I have made several packs, including the one here on GG : http://www.garagegames.com/products/89/ plus I have content experience with buildings, structures and texture making for them. What is the pay for the teachers? Could you trade teaching for a course your not skilled in such as what I want above? Whats the deal on that? :0P
Let me know how I can order and if I can get both courses setup and I will join up. Shoot me info here or at my email on the teaching thing. Best of luck with the class...
Will
dlstorminc@yahoo.com
Torque 3D Owner Kory James
it would give the student visualization of what the teacher did and a better understand of what to do.
thanks for your time